Central Men’s Cross Country Breaks Into National Rankings for First Time

For the first time in program history, the Central College men’s cross country team has surfaced in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings, debuting at No. 27 in the NCAA Division III poll.

The Dutch were unranked in the pre-season poll, but jumped from sixth to third in the most recent Central region poll on the heels of two victories to start their 2012 campaign. The squad easily won their home invitational Sept. 1 and followed up with a convincing victory in a 13-team field at the Grinnell Les Duke Invitational Sept. 8.

Defending champion North Central received all eight first-place votes. Iowa Conference foes Loras and Luther checked in at 18th and 29th respectively. Central has qualified three squads to the national championships, mostly recently in 1980 when the Dutch finished 21st.